What is your dream? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone.
I am often asked to help people figure out what their dream is. In fact, in just the last few days, I have had two such conversations.
Let me introduce Roger, a 64-year-old senior executive facing imminent retirement from an international construction company. In our recent conversation, he expressed a deep lamentation—he's unsure about his dream. Golf used to be a part of his job, but now, as he prepares to leave that phase behind, he no longer finds joy in it. Roger recognizes the aging process and seeks both physical and mental preparedness for an active retirement. He refuses to succumb to a sedentary lifestyle and desires his family's support, yet he acknowledges the numerous implications and fears entwined in trying to figure out what to devote his life to. Despite this, he's thrilled about the prospect of a complete lifestyle transformation.
Similarly, there's Sarah, aged 60, on the brink of retiring from a distinguished government career. Residing in the suburbs, Sarah finds solace in travel, art, volunteering, and personal development. However, the pending retirement unsettles her. She has grown-up kids and a husband, and while they are a loving family, each member is busy with their own life. This leaves her feeling somewhat unneeded and lacking in purpose. The absence of grandchildren compounds her sense of uncertainty.
It was with them and others like them that I wrote "Dare to Dream."
In my book, I outline a four-step program encapsulated in the acronym DARE: Detect, Amplify, Ready, and Enjoy. The pivotal first step is detection—a process that not only involves discovering your dream but infusing it with meaningfulness for yourself and others.
I advocate a return to childhood and the vivid imagination of those early years—your daydreams. These dreams, akin to precious gems, might have been buried by life's pressures—responsibilities, failures, and distractions. Yet, just as charcoal metamorphoses into diamonds, those childhood visions can become your guiding light.
Therefore, a dream detector is crucial. Revisit your childhood—recall those dreams that took your breath away, the visions of your future that evoked tingles of fear and excitement.
Dreams possess the power to captivate our thoughts and energize us each morning. However, a dream that propels us forward later in life transcends personal gratification. It intertwines with leaving a lasting legacy, involving others, and fostering personal transformation.
In my book, I elucidate the three defining characteristics of a dream worth pursuing:
It leaves a legacy.
It involves others.
It transforms you.
This pursuit exceeds mere day or night dreams; it involves nurturing that nugget until it becomes your calling, your destiny. These are the dreams that reverberate exponentially within yourself, others, and the world at large.
Discovering your dream isn't merely about self-discovery; it's about identifying that magnetic force that pulls you forward, ignites your passion, and contributes meaningfully to the world.
Remember, your dreams are waiting to be uncovered and transformed into a legacy that transcends generations. It's time to dare to dream and embark on a journey towards a purposeful and fulfilling life.